JARED GOFF

Position: Quarterback

Height, weight: 6-4, 223

Age: 22

Experience: Second season

Breakdown: Despite a disastrous rookie season, the Rams remain committed to their 22-year-old franchise quarterback, Jared Goff. “Jared is our guy,” head coach Sean McVay said. “We have a lot of confidence in what he’s done.” Just look at how they replaced veteran head coach Jeff Fisher. The Rams targeted the young, innovative McVay, who helped bring quarterback Kirk Cousins to prominence as the offensive coordinator in Washington. But not before Goff was brought into the interview process, spending hours reviewing 2016 film with his future head coach, who was impressed with his accountability and toughness. “This is a guy that is motivated to respond in Year 2,” McVay said. “I think he has a little bit more fire than a lot of people realize.” After the Rams traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks and two third-round picks to select him, Goff became the first quarterback taken No. 1 overall not to open his rookie season as starter since JaMarcus Russell. Goff took over as the starting quarterback on Nov. 20. The Rams lost their last seven games of the season as Goff completed 54.6 percent of his passes, throwing five touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 63.6 passers rating. Goff’s performance was the fifth-worst by a quarterback since 1987, according to Football Outsiders. Coaching, offensive line and receiving failures all contributed to the worst offense in the NFL. Goff was the second-most pressured quarterback in the NFL and his receivers dropped 16 of 128 catchable passes, according to Pro Football Focus.

AARON DONALD

Position: Defensive tackle

Height, weight: 6-1, 280

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) draws plenty of attention from the opposition's offensive line, but he still makes an impact each game.(Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Age: 26

Experience: Fourth season

Breakdown: The biggest question is when — and possibly if — Donald will report to camp. He reportedly didn't show up to the first day that veterans report as he looks for a contract extension. The three-technique DT was the best player in the NFL in 2016, according to Pro Football Focus. In ranking him No. 1 in its “PFF 50,” the website labeled Donald “the single most dominant player in the NFL” and ranked him above superstars like Tom Brady and Julio Jones. Donald had eight sacks and 17 tackles for a loss in his third season in the league, leading the NFL with 31 quarterback hits. He also led all defensive tackles with 82 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. “This guy is a dynamic football player,” McVay said. A lot has been made about Donald’s potential adjustment from Gregg Williams’ 4-3 system to Wade Phillips’ 3-4. “It’s the same,” Donald said. “We’re still doing what we’re doing, penetrating, getting up field, and trying to make plays in the backfield.” Phillips himself nearly laughed at the question. “If he can’t fit in than you’re doing the wrong things,” Phillips said.

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The Rams' Todd Gurley, right, is taken down by the Bills' Corey Graham during a game last season.(Photo: CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR)

TODD GURLEY

Position: Running back

Height, weight: 6-1, 227

Age: 22

Experience: Third year

Breakdown: No Ram had a more disappointing 2016 season than Todd Gurley. No. 30 may have been the only current Rams player Angelinos recognized upon the team’s return to Southern California. He was promoted as a contemporary Eric Dickerson, starred in a burger commercial and then failed to hit the 100-yard mark in any game. Gurley topped out with 85 yards and two touchdowns in Tampa Bay on Sept. 3. He finished with 885 yards and six touchdowns on 278 carries, about 80 percent of the production of his breakout Rookie of the Year campaign, despite 20 percent more workload. The failure on the ground wasn’t just on Gurley, who earned 68.5 percent of his yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. “It really doesn’t matter what I do,” Gurley said. “It’s about what we do as a team together.” After the frustration of his sophomore slump, Gurley is looking forward to a fresh start. A new-look offensive line, as well as a new offensive system, will give him a chance to regain his form.

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The Rams' Tavon Austin, right, carries the ball as Buffalo's Corey Graham closes in for the tackle during a game last season.(Photo: CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR)

TAVON AUSTIN

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 5-8, 179

Age: 27

Experience: Fifth year

Breakdown: McVay says he’s looking for players who are dynamic with the ball in their hands. That defines Tavon Austin. So why isn’t there more excitement for the receiver to enter McVay’s offense? Probably because Austin only caught 58 passes for 509 yards and three touchdowns last year, after signing a four-year, $42 million contract, making him one of the most overpaid players at his position. Then he wasn’t able to fully take part in the team’s offseason program because of a wrist injury that neither the player nor the team was willing to explain. “I’m mentally taking my reps,” Austin said. “I would say I’ve graduated from tennis balls to Nerf balls so far, so I’m hanging in there.” Austin earned his money by piling up 907 yards — 473 receiving and 434 rushing — and nine touchdowns from scrimmage in 2015, when he was utilized as more of a gadget-type player. But he is expected to be used more as an outside receiver in the new offense, perhaps in the role DeSean Jackson played under McVay in Washington. “He’s shown he can track the ball down the field,” McVay said.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has shown he could be a difference-maker for a revamped Rams offense and a reliable target for quarterback Jared Goff.(Photo: JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA/USA TODAY SPORTS)

COOPER KUPP

Position: Wide receiver

Height, weight: 6-2, 205

Age: 24

Experience: Rookie

Breakdown: Cooper Kupp may be a third-round pick from a second-tier program, but the rookie receiver doesn’t lack for self-confidence. “I believe I prepare to be the best when I step on the field and that’s not going to change moving up to the NFL,” Kupp said. “If people want to question that, that’s fine. … I believe that that opinion will change soon.” It didn’t take long for Kupp to turn the Rams into believers. McVay was impressed during a 15-minute interview at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. “You felt like you’re almost talking to a receiver coach,” said McVay. The team has spent a lot of draft capital attempting to rebuild the position group. Kupp is just one of seven pass catchers selected during a nine-pick span over the last two drafts. But he showed his potential during the team’s offseason program and should push for a starting spot in the slot in training camp. “(He’s) savvy,” McVay said during rookie camp. “He’s a polished route runner (with) good aggressive hands.” The hype may build. NFL Network’s Peter Schrager has predicted that Kupp will lead all rookies in receptions.

ANDREW WHITWORTH

Position: Left tackle

Height, weight: 6-7, 333

Age: 35

Experience: 12th year

Breakdown: The Rams protected their investment in Goff by signing an All-Pro left tackle in who looks more like a WWE wrestler than a former Bengal. Andrew Whitworth was the most effective pass blocking offensive tackle in the NFL last year, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed a league-low 14 pressures and four sacks on 562 pass plays. Meanwhile, the Rams allowed 49 sacks, the second-highest figure in the league. Whitworth can earn his three-year, $33.7 million contract by halving that total. Whitworth, 35, is not only four years older than any teammate, he’s four years older than his head coach. “He’s been in the league for a hundred years,” joked tackle Rob Havenstein. “He’s been established as one of the best in the league year in and year out.” Whitworth’s impact will be intensified by who he replaces. Greg Robinson, who the Rams dealt to Detroit in June, was benched twice last year. The former No. 2 overall pick was one of the lowest-rated and highest-penalized players at the position.

Outside linebacker Robert Quinn, shown sacking Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson last season, was traded to the Dolphins in the offseason. The Rams will look to address a big need by drafting an edge rusher.(Photo: KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS)

ROBERT QUINN

Position: Outside linebacker

Height, weight: 6-3, 250

Age: 27

Experience: Seventh year

Breakdown: Robert Quinn is drawing inspiration from another No. 94 as he makes his transition to outside linebacker. “Black Lightning,” who has 54 career sacks through his first six NFL seasons, has posted DeMarcus Ware’s No. 94 inside his locker. Like Quinn this season, Ware also moved from defensive end to outside linebacker to play in Phillips’ 3-4 defense. “There was no drop-off,” Quinn said. “He’s going to be one the main (example) I’m going to study. Then, I’ll see how the best do it.” Slowed by injuries which limited him to just nine games, Quinn had a career-low four sacks last year. “It’s been a rough couple of years for me,” Quinn said. “With Wade winning a Super Bowl, being around some of the best pass rushers, it’s just a different culture they bring and different expectations.” The Rams could really use the Quinn, who registered double-digit sacks in each season from 2013 to 2015, as they make the move to the new system. “He’s a game-changer,” linebacker Alec Ogletree said. “When he’s on the field, you have to account for him.”

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee could be a reliable target this season for second-year quarterback Jared Goff.(Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE)

TYLER HIGBEE

Position: Tight end

Height, weight: 6-6, 257

Age: 24

Experience: Second year

Breakdown: Before McVay was an offensive coordinator working with Cousins, he was a tight ends coach helping to mold a rookie tight end named Jordan Reed. So if the Rams, as expected, enter the 2017 season with a baby-faced tight end corps, at least they have someone on staff who might be able to make that work. With former starter Lance Kendricks moving to Green Bay, the Rams will turn to second-year Tyler Higbee and rookie Gerald Everett. McVay used multiple tight ends on 35 percent of Washington’s snaps last year. He lined up without a tight end just four times in more than 1,000 snaps. “It does give you some flexibility,” McVay said. Higbee, who started six games, caught 11 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown as a rookie. Higbee, who is 6-foot-6 and 257 pounds, could be Goff’s top red-zone target. The 2-yard touchdown catch from Goff in the 22-21 loss to San Francisco on Christmas Eve may be a sign of things to come.” “You can see flashes of what you hope to have in a No. 1 tight end,” Goff said.

Lamarcus Joyner is one of the top defensive backs for the Rams.(Photo: KIM KLEMENT/USA TODAY SPORTS)

LAMARCUS JOYNER

Position: Defensive back

Height, weight: 5-8, 190

Age: 26

Experience: Fourth year

Breakdown: Lamarcus Joyner must be among the most versatile players in the NFL. The cornerback played inside linebacker at times last season. He finished fourth on the team in both tackles (70) and passes defended (8). “You flip the tape on, you watch Lamarcus Joyner, this guy is a football player,” McVay said. “You want to find as many ways to get him on the field as possible.” His strength at slot corner allowed former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to use nickel as a base defense. And now, under a new coaching staff, Joyner has had his request to move to free safety accepted. “You see an instinctual player that has a great feel for the game,” McVay said. “We have to make sure that he’s on the grass, he’s competing.” The signing of free agent Nickell Robey-Coleman, another renowned slot cornerback, will free up Joyner to move to free safety. Additionally, Joyner’s move allows starting free safety Maurice Alexander to move back to strong safety. Joyner played both safety and cornerback at Florida State, so the move is nothing new to him.

JOHNNY HEKKER

Position: Punter

Height, weight: 6-5, 241

Age: 27

Experience: Sixth year

Breakdown: Johnny Hekker likes to remind football fans that “punters are people.” The head coach of the Super Bowl champion Patriots had another word for the Rams’ All-Pro punter last year. About the time Bill Belichick labeled him “a tremendous weapon,” Hekker’s mammoth 2016 season reached national attention. The “weapon” broke his own NFL record with a 46.0 net punting average and obliterated the NFL record for punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, where he placed 51 of his 98 punts. “He’s as good a player as I’ve ever seen at that position,” the New England head coach said ahead of the Rams 26-10 loss in Foxboro on Dec. 4. Hekker obliterated the record set by Arizona’s Dave Zastudil in 2012, tying the previous mark of 46 in 70.5 percent of the attempts. He blasted a career-high 75-yard punt against Carolina and followed it up with a 78-yard bomb at the Jets. Hekker made his third Pro Bowl appearance in four years. He was so good, his long snapper, Jake McQuaide also joined him in Orlando. He also continued his exemplary off the field record, earning the team’s 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year for civic leadership.